Hyderabad-based NGO The Good Talk Factory (TGTF) is set to turn this Independence Day into an opportunity for social impact, hosting Akan Aahvaanam 2026 on August 15. The event will mark the organisation’s first public fundraising drive and will focus on raising support for accessibility, autism therapy and children’s education.
The event will be held from 12 PM to 4–5 PM at Akan Hyderabad, Madhapur, under the theme “Celebrate Freedom. Share a Meal. Make a Difference.”
The programme will bring together food, music, art and community activities while giving visitors an opportunity to directly support causes working with children and people with disabilities.
Three Causes to Receive Support
Visitors attending Akan Aahvaanam 2026 will be able to choose from three key causes supported by TGTF:
- Accessibility and Inclusion: Supporting participation and inclusion of people with and without disabilities in community activities.
- Autism Therapy Support: Helping children from economically weaker families access essential therapies irrespective of their ability to pay.
- TGTF Vidya: Supporting school fees and education for children from financially disadvantaged families.
TGTF founder Raghu Duth Degala said the organisation’s focus on autism therapy comes partly from his own experience working with people on the autism spectrum.
According to Raghu, families with greater financial resources can often access private therapy and early intervention, while low-income families may struggle to afford the multiple therapies required by children with autism. TGTF’s model allows families to contribute what they can, with the organisation subsidising the remaining costs.
Akan’s Independence Day Tradition
Akan has been hosting an Independence Day initiative in which it supports one NGO working towards social impact.
The restaurant provides its venue and organises a “Pay As You Please” lunch, allowing guests to contribute according to their willingness and ability. The money collected during the event goes towards the selected cause.
This year, TGTF is taking a more active role. Rather than simply being the beneficiary, the organisation will design and direct the event as a partner, making it its first public fundraising initiative.
The event is also intended to give grassroots organisations greater visibility and provide an alternative avenue for raising funds beyond traditional corporate and CSR support.
Experience Centre and Sensory Space
Aakan Aahvaanam 2026 will also allow visitors to experience TGTF’s work directly.
An Experience Centre on the first floor will showcase the organisation’s seven-year journey through videos, media stories and other displays. Donation counters will also be available, alongside performances by children with autism.
The second floor will feature interactive activities, including a Sensory Space created by TGTF in collaboration with the Rising Sun Child Development Centre.
The space is designed to help visitors understand sensory processing differences and experiences associated with neurodivergence.
Hyderabad artist and art educator Bhamini Shree will also conduct an art session focused on mental health, with the activity aimed particularly at caregivers of children with disabilities.
“We didn’t want to just raise awareness and leave. We wanted people to see what we do, experience it, and then help fund it,” Raghu said.
Independence Day with a Message of Inclusion
Raghu said choosing Independence Day for the fundraiser was intentional, particularly because people with disabilities continue to face barriers to participation and inclusion.
He said true independence should involve creating a society where everyone is included and treated with dignity, rather than limiting conversations around disability to specific awareness days.
The event therefore seeks to connect the idea of freedom with inclusion, accessibility and equal opportunities.
TGTF’s Seven-Year Journey
TGTF began on December 15, 2018, as a storytelling group built around the belief that everyone has a story worth sharing. The organisation later became a registered trust in 2023 and expanded its work into inclusive education, disability inclusion, accessibility and community engagement.
Through TGTF Vidya, the organisation has covered tuition fees for nearly 30 children and supported more than 100 students with life-skills training.
Other initiatives include the Purple Solvathon, an accessibility-focused innovation challenge, the Kaleido Carnival, described as Hyderabad’s first fully inclusive festival, and Khelathon, an inclusive running event.
TGTF has also undertaken initiatives such as Taare Zameen Par, Mrid Katha and Elderly Tales.
The organisation is primarily volunteer-driven, with a core team of five trustees supported by student and professional volunteers ranging from 12 to 65 years of age.
In 2026, TGTF also registered under the CSR-1 framework, a step intended to help the organisation build stronger and more sustainable partnerships.
Building a Long-Term Culture of Service
Raghu said his long-term vision is for TGTF to continue creating social impact beyond his individual involvement.
“I don’t want TGTF to exist only while I do. I want it to create Samaritans,” he said, emphasising the need to build a lasting culture of service among people.
What to Expect at Akan Aahvaanam 2026
The event is expected to bring together people from Hyderabad’s business, civic and creative communities. Guests mentioned for the programme include Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Principal Secretary of Telangana, Anumula Shashank, head of Café Niloufer, and actor Geetha Bhascker, among others.
Visitors will be able to participate in the Pay As You Please community lunch, enjoy live music, take part in art activities, explore the sensory zone and contribute towards any of TGTF’s three focus areas.
The initiative aims to make Independence Day not only a celebration, but also an opportunity for citizens to share, participate and contribute towards a more inclusive community.
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